R. Killick-Kendrick

Molecular systematics of the phlebotomine sandflies of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus (diptera, psychodidae, phlebotomus) based on ITS2 rDNA sequences. Hypotheses Of dispersion and speciation.

Phylogenetic Paraphlebotomus relationships are inferred by a study based on the sequences of ITS2, which has been sequenced in nine Paraphlebotomus species: P. alexandri, P. andrejevi, P. jacusieli, P. kazeruni, P. mireillae, P. mongolensis, P. saevus, P. sergenti and P. similis and in two out‐groups species of the subgenus Phlebotomus: P. papatasi and P. duboscqi. Paraphlebotomus alexandri appears as the sister group of all other Paraphlebotomus sandflies. Among the other species, three groupings are clearly highlighted: andrejevi and mongolensis;mireillae and saevus;jacusieli, kazeruni, sergenti and similis. These groupings are related to speculations about the migration of Paraphlebotomus from a centre of dispersion located in the Middle East sometime from the early Eocene to the late Miocene.

Preliminary field observations on the flight speed of a phlebotomine sandfly

From observations with a portable wind tunnel used in the field in southern France, it is estimated that the maximum flight speed of Phlebotomus ariasi is in the range 0.65-0.70 m/sec (2.3 to 2.5 km/h).

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia: results of a preliminary epidemiological survey in Al-Ahsa oasis

This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional survey of lesions (active cases) and scars (past cases) of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) carried out in 1986 in 2 villages in the eastern region of Al-Ahsa oasis in Saudi Arabia. The epidemiological pattern of ZCL was strikingly similar in both villages. Overall, 2.8% residents were found to have lesions. Only 3.7% were found with scars, presumably due to under-recording. The age distribution of lesions was bimodal, the number of cases being highest in the age-groups 0-3 and 24-27 years. The sharp fall between 3 and 15 years in the number of persons with lesions is typical of an active endemic infection which induces long-lasting immunity. The exceptional number of active adult cases were predominantly non-Saudi males. Infected non-Saudis also contributed substantially to statistically significant clustering of case in households and influenced the sex ratio of cases. More active cases were found in males than in females, and more active cases were male than were past cases. In 1985, residents reported a broad peak in the monthly discovery of lesions--from July to February. Interpretation of the available information was limited because it was not possible to standardize the data for age and sex.